James Gunn Bans Three Superhero Origin Stories from DCU Movies

by

The origin tales of Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man are well-known stories that have been told through comic books, animated versions, and films for many years. These include Superman being sent to Earth from the destroyed planet Krypton, a young boy vowing to fight crime due to his parents’ deaths, and a teenager gaining spider-like powers after being bitten by a radioactive spider. James Gunn’s upcoming Superman movie does not retell this origin story but instead presents an older Superman who has already lived through significant events in his life.

In an interview, Gunn, who is both co-chairman and CEO of DC Studios alongside producer Peter Safran, expressed three things he never wants to witness again in a superhero film:

1. The murder of Batman’s parents taking place in a dark alley strewn with pearls.
2. A radioactive spider biting Spider-Man.
3. Baby Kal arriving from Krypton in a small rocket.

He went on to say, “Many films feature characters without detailed backgrounds, such as in ‘Good Night, and Good Luck.’ We don’t require information about Edward R. Murrow’s childhood to understand his role as a journalist. So what?” (This version maintains the original’s tone and meaning while using simpler language.)

In Gunn’s take on the story, it is clear that Kal-El’s Kryptonian lineage, showcased by a notable appearance from an A-list actor, plays a significant role. This was initially suggested by the film’s original title, Superman: Legacy. However, Gunn isn’t delving into the origins of Superman’s powers or his birthright. Instead, he is starting the story with a Superman who has been active for three years in a world that has long been familiar with metahumans. To set the scene for this fresh continuity, Gunn has opted to use a crawl similar to that seen in Star Wars.

Previously, Gunn indicated that the upcoming Batman film titled “The Brave and the Bold” will differ from previous versions such as Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins” (2005) and Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” (2022), which focused on a relatively inexperienced Batman. Instead, this movie will showcase an already seasoned Dark Knight. Furthermore, Gunn hinted that the film will not feature any flashbacks to events like the night Batman was born, as seen in Tim Burton’s “Batman” and Zack Snyder’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” where a criminal murdered Bruce Wayne’s parents in an alley.

Gunn shared with ComicBook and various other media outlets that the story will dive straight into the ongoing events. Superman is already present, and Lois Lane and Clark Kent are acquainted. Lex Luthor harbors an immediate hatred for Superman, though they haven’t met personally yet. As a result, we jump right into the thick of things, with the narrative unfolding over a compact period.

The upcoming movie titled Superman, featuring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and several other notable actors, will be premiering exclusively in cinemas on July 11. The cast includes Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, María Gabriela de Faría as the Engineer, Wendell Pierce as Perry White (the editor-in-chief of The Daily Planet), Neva Howell as Ma Kent, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Pa Kent, Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, and Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.

Read More

2025-07-06 23:41